Machine for cutting sheet-form material



C; B. GRAY.

MACHINE FOR CUITING SHEET FORM MATERIAL. APPLICATION FILED OCT-9,1918. RENEWED JUNE 7,1921.

Patented July 12, 1921.

9 SHEETSSHEET 1.

c. B. GRAY.

. MACHINE FOR CUTTING SHEET FORM MATERIAL.

' APPLICATION FILED OCT 9| I918- RE'NEWED JUNE 7, 1921.

Patented July 12,1921.

v 9 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

hll' unl" C. B. GRAY.

MACHINE FOB CUTTING SHEET FORM MATERIAL. APPLICATION map 001 9, 191a. RENEWED mm: 1, 1921.

Patented Jul 12, 1921.

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C.B.GRAYJ MACHlNE FOR CUTTING SHEET FORM MATERIAL. APPLICATION FILED OCT 9. I918- REHEWED JUNE 1, i921.

I 1,3845696. Patented July 12,1921

QSHEEH-SHEET 4. a G5 H10 Z GZ/ G2 I ill iml H 3 F13 E j H7 J7 smut oz J76 @Mfl C. B. GRAY.

MACHlNE FOR CUTTING SHEET FORM MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 9. 19m. RENEWED JUNE 1,1921.

1,384,696. Patented July 12,1921.

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E 1 2/ H 5 P9 $nvntoz P c. B. GRAY. MACHINE FOR CUTTING SHEET FORM MATERIAL.

. E'WED JUNE 7, 1921 Y Patented'July 12, 1921.

APPLICAT| 1,384,696.

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MACHINE FOR CUTTING SHEET FORM MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 9. I918. RENEWED lLgN-E 7,1921.

1,384,696. I Patented July 12, 1921.

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25 G37 G38 G G24 G40 G26 Swmutoz C. B. GRAY.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING SHEET FORM MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 9, I918. RENEWED JUNE 7. i921 1,384,696. PatentedJHly 12,1921.

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JUNE 7, 1921- v Patented July 12, 1921.

9 SHEETS-SHEET I lllnllllllll UNITED STATES PQIENT OFFICE.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING SHEET-FORM MATERIAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 12, 1921.

A li ation filed October 9, 1918, Serial No; 257,501. Renewed June 7, 1921. Serial No. 475,829.

1 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHAnLns Bax'rnn GRAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Machines for Cutting Sheet-Form Material, of which the following is a specification, ref erence being had to the accompanying draw- My improvement relates particularly to machines comprising a die and a punch for punching thick sheet metal.

One object of the improvement is to provide a machine by means of which the operator may at will punch holes which are dis tinct and separate from each other or that he may cause the punch strokes to so overlap on the sheet as to cutaway the sheet piece by piece to form an opening larger than the cross-section of the punch, and particularly to cause the overlapping strokes to be delivered on a line or path, whereby a slot having a width of the thickness of the punch and taking any course desired by the operator is formed, to the end that the same machine may be conveniently used for punching distinct holes or for forming channels or slots or other openings in such sheets. i

A further object of the invention is to provide in such a machine automatic means for controlling the sheet which is to be punched and to automatically impart thereto a stepby-step motion, the length of each step corresponding to the distance the sheet is to advance between strokes of the reciprocatory punch.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a machine having such feed mechanism provided with means controlled by the operator for varying the direction of the action of the feed mechanism, in order that the operator may at will cause the feed mechanism to move the sheet step-by-step in any direction in the plane of the sheet.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying my improvement;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation looking toward the right of the machine in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation looking toward the left as shown in Fig. 1

Fig. 4 is a plan of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the left hand part of the machine, the scale being larger than in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an elevation looking toward the rlght of the upper part of the machine shown by Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan of the mechanism which is located below the line, 7-7, of Figs. 2 and F 1g. 8 is an upright section on the line, 8-8, of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an upright section on the line, 99 of Figs. 7 and 8;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a chair casting upon which the die block is supported separated from other members;

Fig. 11 is an elevation of the die block separated from other members, a part being broken away;

Fig. 12 is a detached sectional view of the feed ring base;

Fig. 13 is a detached sectional view of the feed ring;

Fig. 14 is a sectional perspective of the turret body separated from the other parts;

Fig. 15 is a bottom view of the turretbody;

Fig. 16 is an elevation of the punch stem and. the punch attached to the stem Fig. 17 is a horizontal section on the line 17-17, of Figs. 2 and 5;

Fig. 18 is an upright section on the line, 1818, of Fig. 19, looking toward the right;

Fig. 19 is an upright section on the line, 19-19, of- Figs. 6, 17 and 18; V

Fig. 20 is a detached sectional elevation of the primary presser mechanism;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a cam sleeve;

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a cam member associated with the sleeve of Fig. 21,;

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a front plate;

Fig. 24; is a perspective view of means for connecting the punch stem with the drive shaft;

Fig. .25 is a rear view of a part of the machine;

' Fig. 26 is an upright, sectional view showing a mechanism for controlling the feed ring base plate.

The part of the machine shown by Fig. 1 is to be regarded. as the front of the machine. The plane in which the sheet, S, (Fig. 5) to be punched lies is herein termed the sheet plane.

Referring to said drawings, A is the body of the machine. This has an upper arm, A and a lower arm, A and a horizontal base, A which is to rest on a floor or foundation.

On the outer or left hand end of the arm,

' A is a horizontal seat,A, on which rests a chair casting, B, on which is supported the die and the lower part of the mechanism which is concerned with the feeding of the 1 sheet step-by-step between the strokes of the punch, the latter being located above the sheet plane.

downward through the seat, A, and the eX- tension, A, of the arm, A Theright hand portionof the casting, B, comprises a horizontal bearing, B which receives the left hand end of a horizontal feed shaft, 13*.

The right hand end of said shaft extends through a bearing, C in the standard, C, which is secured to the right hand end of the body, A, by means of bolts, A

A rotary die block, F, rests upon the upper face of tllGllOIlZOHtkLl part of the casting,

' B, and surrounds the neck, B and rises 7 block, F.

above said neck nearly to the sheetplane. The neck, B forms a journal for the rotation of the block, F. the block,'F, is a horizontal bevel gear., F whichfis concentric to the neck, B and has its teeth directed upward to, mesh with the bevel gear wheel, B supported 'by the feedshaft, 13*, at the left of the bearing, B In the upper end of the block, F, andion its axialhne is a die socket, F From the lower end of said socket. a throat, F extends downward to meet the throat, B of the casting, B. The body of the die, F is seated in. the socket, F and has a cylindrical neck, F extending above said socket. bore, F, of the die extends from the upper end of the neck downward through the die and registers with the throat, F of the die Said bore is cylindrical in cross section. The'body of the die is held in the socket, F by screws, F extending horizontally through the die block into sockets, F formed in the upright face of'the' body of the die.

On the upper end of and concentric with the die block is a feed ring base, F which has in the lower part upright sockets, F each of which receives an upright post, F rising from the upper end of the block, F. Said posts are long enough to allow limited up and down movement of said base. Below. the feed ring base the block, F, has a shoulder, F and between said base and the shoulder, F; the block,,F, is surrounded by an expanding coiled spring, F which normally-holds the base, F", a little above the upperend of the block,F, in order that the n the lower part of The .base, F, may be free to be pressed dow1iward as hereinafter dGSCIlbGdJ. The posts,v

F compel the rotation of the base, F, in

unison with the block, F, when the latter is rotated.

The lower part of the base, F", has a cylindricalbore of properdiameter toreceivc the neck, F of the die. Said neck rises high enough to be a little above the upper.

face of the base, F ,when' the latter has been pressed downward to its lower limit. In the upper part of the base, F, the neck-of the die is surrounded by an annular chamber'in which rests a feed ring, F 5, having an upright flange. or crown, F This. ring has two 11 eri ht sockets" F which receive 11 9- b a a v V rlght studs, 1* rising from the base, F ,.1n

the annular socket or chamber-at each side of the neck,-F of the die. I

The ring,'F normally rises above the die Y to press against theloweri face of the sheet, S. lVhen the punch bears downward on the sheet, the latter is depressed and forces the feed ring and the: baseyF, downward against the action of the spring, F 5, until such downward movement-is arrested by contact of the metal sheet with .the upper face of the die. When the punch is again moved upward, the spring, F lifts. the

base i F and .the feed rin 7 whereb the metal. sheet is lifted slightly away from the upper face ofrthe die. The purposev of this lifting is. to make any bur'formed by the i punching-land extending into the die socket .be: above saidsocket before the feed .mecha-,

-nism acts upon the sheet for feeding the sheet, S, astep horizontally while thc punch is above the sheet. I have found that when such burs form, they interfere with the ll Ol'l-Q Zontal feeding of the metal sheet ifthe sheet But practice has Fm'oved only'far enough by'the feed mechanism to leavejthe bur above the upper face of the die, the bur 1s flattened or driven upward on the sheet when the-sheet is driven downward by the next stroke of thepunch, Thus, the bur is obliterated before it reaches the plane ofthe feed ring by the lateral, step-by-step movement of the sheet, andthe lower face of the sheet is adapted to move over the flange or crown of thefeed ring without hindrance;

The upper face of the flange,'F of the ring, F is roughenedto adapt it to'engage the metal sheet and advance the latter through the desired distance every time the punch is in its upper range; and the diameter of the ring is made such as to best suit it to feed the sheet.

It will be understood that the base, F",

and the feed ring, F might be made as a unitary structure; but I prefer to make the ring separately, in order that it may be more accurately formed and tempered and in order that it may be renewed without renewing the entire structure. Furthermore, the upright flange or crown of the ring must be made of a high quality of steel, while the body of the base may be formed of a common quality of metal. Hence this separation permits economy in materials.

The feed ring crown is rotated in unison with the base, F and said base rotates in unison with the die block, and the die block is given a step-by-step rotation by means of the bevel gear wheels, F and B the latter receiving a step-by-step rotation by the step-by-step turning of the feed shaft, B as will be described farther on.

The direction of the feed imparted to the metal sheet depends upon the direction of rotation of the die block and the location ofthe pressure put upon the sheet above the crown ring by presser mechanism located above the sheet and forming a part of the feed mechanism and adapted to be shifted into various positions around the punch axis, as will be described farther on.

On the left hand end of the arm, A of the body, A, of the machine is anupright hearing, A, in which rests a rotary turret body, (l. A ring-form worm gear wheel G rests upon the upper end of the hearing, A", an d extends across a portion of theupper end of the turret body and is securedto the lat ter by means of upright bolts, (l extending through said worm gear into said body. Thus said body is free for rotation within said bearing, but is held by the worm gear wheel against downward movement.

Above the hearing, A, and a little at the right of the axial line of said bearing is a horizontal bearing, A formed on the arm, A of the body, A.

he left hand portion of the upper end of the hearing, A, has a horizontal flange, A,

which forms a seat for the foot, of an upright front plate, G", which has in its up per part a bearing, G, which in axial alinement with the bearing, A Bolts, G, bind the plate, (l to the flange, A On the lower part of the front plate, G are two horizontal bearings, G in which is supported a screw shaft, G which has a worm, G engaging the worm gear wheel. G On the front end of said worm shaft is the hand wheel, G By turning said hand wheel, said worm wheel and the turret body, G,

maybe slowly rotated, the worm wheel slidan upright'bore, G extending through the body and in which is an upright key way, G In said bore is a cylindrical, reciprocatory punch supporting stem, G on the lower end of which is a screw threaded neck, G which is surrounded by an interiorly screw threaded sleeve, G in the lower end of which is a punch, G, which is in axial alinement with said stem and with the bore, F, of the die, F which has already been described. I

T he upper end of said stem extends above the body, G, and the worm gear wheel, G and there has a cylindrical head, G which rests in. bearing formed. by socket, G in a coupling, member, G, which is applied to the lower face of coupling member, G which is applied to the lower face of coupling members, G Said members, G, G and G, are joined to each other by upright cap screws, extending through apertures in the members, G and G and into threaded apertures in the member, G The stem, G has a key or feather, G, extending into the keyway, G of the turret body, G, so that said stem is free to slide up and down in thehody, G, but cannot turn independently of said body and must turn when said body turns. The ccupling'body formed by the members, G G and U does not turn, but the cylindrical head, G, of the punch stem is free to rotate in the bearing formed by the socket, G in the member, G Thus the worm gear wheel, G, the turret body, and the punch stem, G at all times free to turn on the up right axis of the bearing, It, irrespectiveof the height of the coupling body. At the same time the punch stem and thecouplingr body are free to move upward and downward irrespective of the positions into which the turret body, G, has been at the time turned.

The function of the coupling: body is to connect the punch stem with the horizontal. eccentric crank shaft, ll, which rests in the bearings, il and i, and has between said bearings the eccentric, l'l Said eccentric rests in the eye, 1 of the pendulum or pitman, H At the lower en d of the pendulum. is a cross arm, H", which rests in the bearing formed between the couplingmembers, G and G. The left hand end of the shaft, H, is shown reduced in diameter to form a neclr, H, which extends leftward through the hearing, and there supports a hand wheel, H, by means of which the operator may turn said shaft by hand when the punch stem is to he raised or lowered while power isnot being applied to the right hand end. of the shaft, H, as hereinafter described.

The turret body, G, supports a primary presser which is a part of the feed mecha- Wvith the chamber a cy i bore G251 tend-s upward through the turret body. The presser comprises a cylindrical stem, G an arm, G and a wheel, G. The stem extends upward through the chamber, G, and into the bore, G into which itfits slidably.

' In the lower portion of the chamber, G,

said stem is surrounded by a sleeve, G,

which is pinned to the stem and fits the chamber slidably. Said sleeve has on its outer face an upright groove, G, into which extends a screw, G which is seated horizontally in the adjacent wall of the turret body.

By this means, said sleeve and said stem are limited to upright movement. An expanding coiled spring, G surrounds the stem above said sleeve and bears against the upper wall of said chamber. The lower face of the sleeve, G has cam faces,G Below the chamber, G is a horizontal bridge, G which'is secured to the lower face of the turret body by cap screws, G (Fig. 15).

A, lower cam member, G extends rotatably through the bridge, Above the bridge, the member, G, has a downwarddirected shoulder, G resting upon the bridge, whereby said member is held against downward movement through the bridge. At its upper end, said member has upward directed cam faces, G corresponding, in reverse, to the cam faces, G on the'sleeve, G The stem, G extends slidablythrough the cam member, G Below the bridge, said member has sockets, G adapted to receive one end of a bar or handle, G by means of which the operator may turn the member, G Said bar, G may be transferred from one socket, G, to another, as may be found desirable for convenient" manipulation. Turning the member, G so as to make the faces, G slide over the faces, G, will force the sleeve G upward. Since said sleeve is immovably secured to the stem, G said stem is lifted when thesleeve is lifted. When the body, G, is turned in the opposite direction, the sleeve, G and the stem, G are allowed to descend in response to the action of gravity and the spring, G On the lower end of the stem, G, the horizontal arm, G, is directed. toward the punch, G. At the free end of said arm is a presser wheel, Ghwhich is rigidly secured to the Said wheel. is located above the rim or crown of said feed ring, F in position to produce opposing pressure between a portion of the periphery of said wheel and a' portion of theflange or crown of the feed. rlng when the metal sheet is located between said members and the hand lever, G has been turned so as to allow the stem, G and the arm, G, to be free for downward pressure by the spring, G 1

By turning the turret G and the wheel, G, will be carried around the common axisof the turret body and the punch stem and the punch and the feed ring, the presser wheel, G, moving 'is an orbital path which'is concentric to said axis and which orbital path maintains a uniform relation to the flange or crown of the feed ring. By means of the hand wheel, G the turret body may be turned in either direction, hence the wheehG, may traverse its orbital path in either direction.

l/Vhn .the feed ring is turned a step by the partial rotation of the feed shaft, B

body, G, the stem, 7 V

the feed ring and the wheehG, move the metal sheet, S, correspondingly. The direction of. such movement w ll'depend upon the direction of rotation of the feed ring and the position of the wheel, G, in its orbital path. i V

The wheel, G stands in an upright plane which is tangential to said orbital path and also to the crown of" the feed ring, and the movement imparted to the sheet, S, is parallel to said plane. Said plane changes position and direction with the turning of the turret body. Hence by turning the turret body any desired'direction may begiven to the feed imparted to the sheet, S, by the joint action of the feed wheel, G andthe V presser wheel, G

As already described, when the punch rises from the sheet, S, the spring, F lifts the base plate, F, and the feed ring for the purpose of slightly lifting the sheet from the upper face of the die, in order that the bur on the lower face of the sheet may clear the die socket. This lifting of' the base plate also increases the engagement of the sheet between the feed ring presser wheel, G, at the time that the feed ring is tobe turned a'step for the shifting and ,the

of the punch.

14 The spring, F

is stronger than the spring, G so that the latter must yieldduring the upward movement of the base plate, F".

Supported by the turret body at the side of the turret axis opposite the primary presser is a secondary presser, G Said pressercomprises an upright stem which is cndwisc slidable and feathered in a tubular bearing, G", (Figs. 15 and 19) seated in the lower end of an upright cylindrical chamber, G, (F lat and 19) extending upward from the lower end of the turret body. The upper end of said stem is secured in a slide member and said bearing, and said stem is surrounded by an expanding coiled spring, A stem, G extends slidably through the upper end of the turret body and downward into the chamber, G. Said stem is in any manner fixed in the collar, G and said collar slidable in said chamber. Between said collar and the slide member, G

an expanding coiled spring, G

hen the collar, G bears against the upper wall of thechamber, G, the stem, G. extends upward into the lower portion of the path of the lower member, G, of the coupling block which engages the upper end of the punch stem. The springs, G and (3 so proportioned as that under this condition the spring, G, is expanded sufficiently in opposition to the spring, G to raise the secondary presser away from the sheet, 3. But when the coupling member, G moves downward to its lower limit for movlng the punch downward to its lower' limit, the member, G bears upon the stem, (land presses it downward, whereby the collar. G forces the spring, G downward against the slide nember,IG with sufficient force to drive the slide member downward in opposition to the spring, G. In order that this may be accomplished, the spring. 9, is made weaker than the spring, (Tr The action of the secondary presser upon the sheet is to be so much less than the action of the primary presser asto preclude interference by the secondary presser with the action of. the primary presser in cooperating w th the feed ring, F to make such engagement of the sheet as will c mpel the sheet to more with the movement of the part of the feed wheel which is directly below the presser wheel, G. Indeed, the secondary presser need not make engagement at allwit-h the sheet during the down stroke of the punch. A minor functionof said presser is to prevent tilting of the sheet. For this, either light contact with or nearness to the sheet will answer. The main function of this presser is to cooperate with the presser wheel in. resisting upward movewhenthe punch is movingupward to release itself from the sheet after the down stroke of the punch has been completed. thisconnection it is to be observed that the depression of the stem, G by the coupling member, G, is maintained during the lower travel of the punch. This period of depression is to be so adjusted as to continue until the lower end of the punch has risen above the sheet, whereby the secondary presser remains in the lowerposition as long as its resistance to the upward movement of the sheet is needed. It is not to be understood that the punch will at all times tend to lift the sheet during the upward movement of the punch. The secondary presser is thus associated with the primary presser in order that it may be available at such times as the punch does tend to lift the sheet.

Attention is directed to the fact that while the turning of the turret body carries the primary presser into a new position in its orbital path, whereby the direction of feed of the sheet is changed, the punch stem and the punch are at the same time correspondingly turned, so that the relation of the punch to the direction of feed remains unchanged. That is to say, the same part of the upright face of the punch is always di rected toward the approaching part of the sheet when the sheet is being fed by the feed mechanism. This allows making the lower end of the punch of any special shape to facilitate the cutting or to modify the cut. For example, the lower end of the punch may be made slanting, as shown by the drawings (Figs. 2, l6 and 19), the lower part being made the part toward which the sheet is moved by the feed mechanism.

If the lower end of the punch is made cylindricaland its lower face is not inclined, the punch stem and the punch need not be turned with the turret body; for then the action of the punch is the same regardless of what part thereof is approached by the sheet.

It is also to be noted that punches of di tferent forms may be used interchangeably.

For example, if distinct and sepz rate holes are to be punched, a punch best suited to that purpose may be applied to the punch stem, and if overlapping punch strokes are 'to be delivered to the sheet for cutting larger openings, a punch best suited to that standard, C, a fly wheel, D surrounds said shaft. Between said wheel and the bearing, A a small spur gear wheel, D surrounds said shaft-and. is rigid thereon. Meshing with said spur gear wheel .and loosely surrounding the shaft, H, is a larger spur gear wheel, 1), which has at its left a clutch member, D which is adapted to make engagement with a clutch member, D, which is feathered on said shaft. A bell-crank, D D is supported in the hearing, A, above the clutch member, D. The bearing, A, is supported on the bearing, A The arm, D of said bell crank is forked andengages the clutch ring, which surrounds the clutch member, I). By rocking said bell-crank, the clutch member, D is moved into and out ofcngagement with the clutch member, D \Vhen said clutch members are in engagement, the rotation ofthe spur gear wheel, D, compels the rotation of the clutch member, D, and the rotation of that-member compels the rotation of the shaft, H, in a manner familiar to the art. A connecting rod, D extends slidably through a bearing,

A on the body, A, and has its upper end coupled to the arm, D of the bell-crank while its lower end is coupled to an armyD An expandingcoiled spring, D surrounds said rod between the hearing, A, and the arm, D Said spring tends to push the arm, D upward, whereby the arm, D of the bell-crank is moved toward the leftthe direction for disengaging the clutch member, D, from the clutch member, D Hence said clutch is normally out of engagement and the shaft, H, is normally at rest. The arm, D is rigid on a rock shaft, D", which is supported .in the right hand portion of the body, A, close to the base, A An arm, D is rigid on said rock shaft and extends horizontally to the left hand end of the machine and is adapted to there extend below and into engagement with a lug, D projecting forward on the body of the ma chine. The arm, D, has sufficient flexibility to adapt it to be moved by the footof the operator into and out of engagement with the lug, D

When the operator desires to have they shaft, H, rotate for the reciprocation of the punch, he presses his foot downward on the left hand end of the arm, D far enough to move the clutch member, D", into engagement with the clutchmember D, If

the punch is to make only one'or some other small number of strokes, the operator holds the arm, D without causing it to make engagement with the :lug, Df. If the punch is .to' be reciprocated an indefinite number of times,'the operator may press the arm, D into engagement with the lug, D and there leave said arm until the reciprocation of the 'punch'isto be stopped.

The die block, F, which carries the feed ring, F as above described, receives its step-by-step rotationthrough apartial rotation of the feed shaft, 13*, during 'every ful-l rotation of the shaft. i 1

On the right hand end'of the shaft, 13., is a ratchet wheel, E, secured rigidly to said shaft. A rocking member, E has a bearing, E surrounding the shaft, 13*. To the op posite end of the rocking member, E is coupled the lower end of a connecting bar, E. The upper end of said bar is coupled to the free end of a lever, E which extends across a cam, E", which is rigid on the shaft, H, at

the right of the bearing, C The opposite end of the arm, E is hinged to an extension, Cflof the standard, C. A contracting coiled spring, E has one. end secured to the "rock" ing mem-ber, E while the other end is se cured to a stationary bracket,A extending rightward'from'the body, A. Said spring is under constant tension and draws. down-' ward on the rocking member, E and causes the latter to draw :the connecting bar, E7, and thearm, E downward as faras "the cam, E permits. sazid cam has asingle extension, 6", which lifts thearm, E once during each rotation of the shaft, H. On the rocking member, E, is a pawl, l}, which bears ainst the periphery of the ratchet wheel, A blade-spring,E ,is secured to the rocking member, E in position to yield ingly bear against said .pawl in orderthat I cerned with this transmission of motion from the shaft, H, to the feed shaft,-Bi*, are so proportioned astocausethe pawl, E to slip "fron rone ratchet tooth to another during each movement of the rocking member, E whereby the feed shaft, 13*, is put through a fraction of a rotation represented by the spacebetween the edges of two adjacent ratchet teeth. 1

The above-described transmission mecha I nism has heretofore been used for similarly imparting a step by-step artial rotation to one shaft from another s aft which makes complete rotation;and it is to be understood that, in connection with my present im provement,any suitable means may be used for imparting to the feed shaft, 13, its stepby-step rotation. Indeed, it isto be noted that said shaft is only a meanslto an end, namely, the step-by-step rotation of'the feed ring,'F

It is also'to be observed that the mechav In Fig. 26 is shown mechanism for permitting up and down movement of the feed ring base, F and adjustably limiting such movement. In this form, the feed ring is extended across the sockets, F in the mg base and said sockets extend through said base and are countersunk from above, and the posts, F rising from the upper end of the block, F, have screw heads and are exteriorly screw threaded within the chamber, 7, said chamber being correspondingly interiorly screw threaded. Below the screw post, F is a screw plug, F which also fits the interior threading of the chamber, 7. This screw plug is to be turned to bring .it to the proper height to make it bear against the post, F when the latter is driven down to the desired position. By the engagement thus effected between the post and the plug, the post is jammed and held against turning by vibration.

I claim as my invention,

1. In a machine for punching sheet-form material, a die located at one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the other side of the sheet plane in alinement with the die, sheet feeding means located adjacent the die and at the same side of the sheet plane and adapted to bear against a sheet in the sheet plane in any part of a circle surrounding the die axis, automatic means for giving said part of the sheet feeding means a step-by-step movement for feeding said sheet, presser feed means at the opposite side of the sheet plane, and operator-controlled means for moving said presser feedmeans around the die axis independently of the part of the feeding means which is at the opposite side of the sheet plane, whereby the relation between the two parts of the feeding means is varied for changing the direction of movement of the sheet, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for punching sheet-form material, a die located at one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the other side of the sheet plane in alinement with the die, sheet feeding means surrounding the die and adapted to bear against a sheet in the sheet plane in any part of a circle surrounding the die axis, automatic means for giving said part of the sheet feeding means a step-by-step movement for feeding said sheet, presser feed means at the opposite side of the sheet plane, and operator-controlled means for moving said presser feed means around the die axis independently of the part of the feeding means which is at the opposite side of the sheet plane, whereby the relation between the two parts of the feeding means is varied for changing the direction of movement of the sheet. substantially as described.

In a machine for punching sheet-form material, a die located at one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the other side of the sheet plane in alinement with the die, a ring-form sheet feed ing means surrounding the die and adapted to bear against a sheet in the sheet plane in any part of a circle surrounding the die axis, automatic means for giving said ring a step-by-step movement around the die for feeding said sheet, presser feed means at the opposite side of the sheet plane, and operator-controlled means for moving said presser feed means around the die axis independently of said ring, whereby the relation between said presser feed means and said ring is varied for changing the direction of movement of the sheet, substantially as described.

4. In a machine for punching sheet-form material, a die located at one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the other side of the sheetplane in alinement with the die, sheet feeding means located adjacent the die and at the same side of the sheet plane and adapted to bear against a sheet in the sheet plane in any part of a circle surrounding the die axis, automatic means for giving said part of the sheet feeding means a stepby-step movement for feeding said sheet, presser feed means at the opposite side of the sheet plane, and operator-controlled means for turning the punch and correspondingly moving said presser feed means around the die axis independently of the part of the feed ing means which is at the opposite side of the sheet plane, whereby the relation be tween the two parts of the feeding means is varied for changing the direction of movement of the sheet, substantially as described.

in machine for punching sheet-form material. die located at one side of the sheet plane, reeiprocatory punch located at the other side the sheet plane in alineineut with the die, sheet feeding means surrounding the die and adapted to bear ag inst a sheet in the shet plane in any part o a circle surrounding the die axis, automatiimeans for givin said part of the sheet feeding means a step-by-step movement for feeding said sheet, presser teed means the opposite side of the sheet plane, and opera tor-controlled means for tu and correspondingly moving said presser feed means around the die axis independently the pa rt of the feeding means which is at the opposite side of the sheet plane, whereby t .e rela ion between the two parts of the feeding means l for chanbg' 1S va the direction of movement of the sheet, substantially as described.

6. In a machine for punching Sli'tkffilnl material, die located at one side of sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the other side of the sheet plane in a 'nement with the die, a ring-form sheet feeding ning the punchmeans surrounding the die and adapted to bear against a sheet in the sheet plane in any partol a circle surrounding the die axis, automatic means for givi 1g said ring a stepby-step movement around the die for "feeding said sheet, presser feed means at the opposite side of the sheet plane, and operator -controlled means for turning the punch and correspondingly moving said presser feed means around the die axis independ ently of said ring, whereby the relation be tween said presser feed means and said ring is varied for changing the direction of movementot the sheet, substantially as described.

7. lna machine for punching sheet-form material, a die located at one sine oi: the sheet plane, a reciproratory punch located at the other side of the sheet plane in alinement with the die, sheet -feeding means located adjacent the die and at the same side of the sheet plane and adapted to bear against a sheet. in the sheet plane in any part of: a circle surroundin the die axis,

automatic means for giving said part of the sheet a ceding means a step-by-step moveient for feeding said sheet, a presser iieed wheel at the oppositeside of the sheet plane,

and operator-controlled means tor bodily moving said presser feed wheel around the die axis independently of the part of the 'eeuin means wi ci s a L- l" a i l g i 7 l1 1 1 t he oppos te sid of the sheet plane, whereby the relation between the two parts of the ieeding means is varied for changing the direction of movement oi the sheet, substantially as described.

8. In a machine for punching sheet-form material, a die located at one side of tl e sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the other side of the sheet plane in alinement with the die, sheet feeding means surrounding the die and adapted to bear against a sheet in the sheet plane in any part of a circle surrounding the die axis, automatic nieansior giving said part of the sheet feeding means a step-by-step movement tor feeding said sheet, a presser feed wheel at the opposite Side oithe sheet plane, and operator-controlled means for bodily finoving'said presser feed wheel around the the other side of the sheet plane in alinement with the die, airing-form sheet feeding means surrounding the die and adapted to bear a ainst a sheet in the sheet )lanein an.

aart of a circle surroundin the die axis automatic means for giving said ring a stepby-stepmovement around the die for feeding said sheet, a presser feed wheel at the opposite side of the sheet plane, and operator-controlled means for bodily moving said presser ieed wheel' around the die axis independently of said ring, whereby the relation between said presser feed Wheel and said ring is varied for changing the -direc-.

tion of movement of the sheet, substantially sheet plane a face which isapproximately parallel to said plane, automatic means for actuating the last-mentioned part of the nism at the punch side of the sheet planetor.

changing the direction 01" said sheet, substantially as described.

11. In a machine for punching sheet-form material, the combination ofa die located" at one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the other side of the sheet plane in alinement with the die, automatic feed mechanism a part of which is located at the punch side of the sheet plane and a part of which is located at the die; side of the-sheet plane and surrounds'the die and presents toward the sheet plane a face which is approximately parallel to said plane, automatic means for actuating the last-mentionedpart oi the feed mechanism for engaging and feeding the sheet step-by step while the punch is free from the sheet, and operator-controlled means for independently of the part of the feed mechanism at the die side of the sheetplane shifting the part of the feed mechanism at the: punch side of the sheet plane for changing the direction of said sheet, substantially as described. V '7' 12. In a machine for punching sheen form material, the combination o'f'a die located at one'sidejot' the sheet plane,'a reciprocatory' punch located at the other side of-the sheet plane in alinement with the die, automatic feed mechanism a part of which is located at the punch side of the ring for engaging and teedi-ngthe sheet stepsby-step while the punch is free fromthe sheet, and operator-controlledmeans tor independently oi" StilChllll'g shitting the part of the feed mechanism iat the punch side ot punch to press'tne sheet against the-face of the diewhen thepunch moves tothedie, i

feed mechanism located atithe punch side of the sheet plane and adapted to bear toward the sheet plane inoppcosition to the feed mechanism at the the s de. ot-the sheet plane, and automatic mechanism for. .i1n parting a step -by-step motionto the feed mechanism at the clieiside ot the sheet plane, whereby the sheet is, fed parallel to the sheet plane while the sheet is held away from the face or the die, substantially as described, 7 1. v

14:. In a machine for punching. sheettorm material, a die located at one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the other side of the sheet plane in alinement with the die, sheet teeding. means located at the die sideot the sheet plane and around the die and bearing yieldingly transversely to the sheet planeto adapt it to normally press the sheet away from the die and to yield to permit the punch to press the sheet. against the taceot theidie when the punch moves-to the die, feed mechanism v located at the punch side of the sheet plane and adapted to bear towardthe sheet plane in opposition to the feed mechanism at the die side of the sheet plane,'automatic mech-;

anism for imparting a step-by step motion to the feed mechanism at the die side ot the sheet plane, whereby the sheet is ted parallel J to the sheet plane while the sheet is held away from the face of the die, and operalter-controlled, means for shittlng the con;

tact between the feed mechanism at the punch side and the sheet relative to location in a path extending around the die axis whereby the direction of movement otthe.

sheet in the sheet plane may be aried, substantially as described. V

15. In a machine for punching sheet-term material, a die located atone side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the opposite side or the sheet planmtecd mechanism a part oat which is located at the die side of the sheetplane and a part of which is located at thepunchside ot the sheet'plane and each being adapted to-press yieldingly toward the sheet plane, the part at the die side of the sheet plane being adapted to exert the stronger pressure,

whereby the sheet, when in, position between said parts of the feed mechanism is normally heldaway from the die and is pressed against, the die by the punchwhen the latter moves to thedie, and automatic means for actuating said feed mechanism for feeding the sheet in .thesheet plane, substantially as described. s- 3 16. In a machine for punching sheet-form material, a die locatedat one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the opposite side of the. sheet plane, feed mechanism a part of which is located of which is located at the punch side of the sheet plane and each being adapted to press yieldinglytoward the sheet plane, the partat the die side of thesheet plane being adapted to exert the stronger pressure, means for limiting the movement of the part of the feed mechanism at the die side of the sheet plane toward the sheet plane, whereby thesheet, when in position between said .partsof the feed mechanism is normally heldaway from the die and is pressed against the die by the punch when the latter moves to the die, and automatic means for actuating said feed mechanism for feeding the. sheet in the sheet plane, substantially as described.

17. In a machine for punchinp' sheetfdrm material, a die located at one side of tween said parts of the feed mechanism is normally held away from the die and is pressed against the die by the punch when the latter moves to the die, operator-controlled means tor changing the relation be-, tween the parts of the feed mechanism at at the die side of the sheet plane and a part the two sides of the sheet plane for chang ing the direction of teedof said mechanism,

and automatic -means for actuating said feed mechanism for feeding the sheet in the sheetplane, substantially as described;

'18. In a ;machine 'for punching sheet-' term material, a die located at one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the opposite sideot the sheet plane, feed mechanism a part of which is located at'thed'ie side of the sheet plane and a part of which is located at the punch side oi the sheet plane and each being adapted to press yielding-1y toward: the sheet; plane, thezpart: at the die side of the sheet plane Y being adapted to exertthe stronger pressure,

' i of thesheetl lane 'towa'rd the sheet plane, whereby the met, when in positionbetween means" for limiting the movement of the part of; the feed mechanism at the dieside said parts of the feed mechanism is normallyheldaway from the die and-is pressed against the die by the punch when thelatter moves to the die, operator-controlled means for changing the relation between the parts of thefeed mechanism at the two sides of 'the sheet alane for changing'the direction "of feed'o said mechanism, and automatic means .for actuating said feed mechanism for feeding 'the sheet in the sheet plane,;

substantially as described.

'19. In a machine for punching sheet- .form material, a rotatable die blockv at, one

7 side of the; sheet plane, means for imparting a 'step-by-step rotation to said block, a dieon said block adjacent the sheet plane, feeding-means adjacent said die, a ,yielding support tending to movesaid feeding means: into the sheet plane, feed means at the opposite-side of the sheet plane, yielding means tending to press said feed means into the sheet plane with less [force "than is exerted by the yielding means which tends to press the feed means at the opposite side iof'the sheet plane intopthe sheet plane,

whereby theisheet is normally held away from the die, and a reciprocatory punch in -al'inement with said die, substantially as described. 7

2(5). In a machine for punching sheetform material, the combination of a die and a reciprocatory punch located at opposite sides of a sheet plane, afeed ring surround: ing the d1e,'asupport tor said die, means for" guiding saidsupport-iformovement to ward and from the sheet plane and limit ing said movement in the directionof said sheet plane, aspring pressing said support towardi said plane, means for imparting a.

step-'by-step rotation of said support on the axis" of "the-die, feed means on' the opposite sides ofthe sheet plane, and yielding means-applied to said feed means to press saidjmeans toward the sheet plane with less force than is exerted by the means {which tends to press the feed ring support into thesheet plane, substantially as i described.

21. In a' machine for punching sheet form material, a rotatable die block at one 7 side of the sheet plane, means for impart ring a, step-by-step rotation to said block,

a die on, said block adjacent the sheet plane,

'feedi-ngmeans adjacent said die, a yielding support tending to move said feeding means intothe sheet plane mean s for limiting'the movement of said'support toward the sheet plane, feedmeans at the opposite side of the sheet plane,. yielding means tendingzto press said feed means into the sheet plane with less force than is exerted by; the yield-i Y inge means which tends to press-the feed .means at the opposite side of the sheet plane into the sheet plane, and a reciproca-- v subtory punch in alinement with said die,

stantially as described. 22. In a- -machine form material, the combination of a die and a reciprocatory punch located at opposite sides ofja sheet plane,a feed ringsurround for punching sheet ing the die, a support for said die, means f for guiding said support for movement to-j wardand from thesheet plane and limiting said movement in. the direction of said plane, a spring pressing said support" toward I I said plan.e,;-means for imparting a step-bysteprotation of'said support onthe axis of the die, feedmeans on. the opposite sides of the sheet plane, yielding'meansapplied tov said feed means to press said means to;

ward the sheet plane with less force than is exerted by the means which tends topress the. feed; ring'support into the sheet plane, and operator-controlled means for moving the feed means at' th'e punch side of the sheet planeinto new positions in an orbital path surrounding the die axis for V changing the direction oft he feed of the sheet in the sheet plane, substantially as described.

atone side ofthe sheet plane, a reciprocasheet plane in alinement with the die, sheet feeding means located adjacent thedie and at the same side of the sheet plane and adapted to'bear against the sheet in the sheet )lane automatic means for 'ivin said sheet a c a g c feeding mea-ns'a'step-by-step movement for; I feedingsaid'sheet parallel to the sheet plane,

two ressermembers-located at the other side of the sheet plane in position to resist movement of the sheet beyond" its normal of the sheet, substantiallyas described.

24. In a machine for punchingsheet form.c

material, the combination of a die located at oneside of the sheet plane, a rec1procatory punch located at the' otherside of the v i position whenthe punch is beingdrawn out;

sheet plane in alinement with the die," sheet feeding, means located adjacent the'die' and,

at the same side of'thefsheet plane and adapted to bear againsta sheet in the sheet" plane, automatic means for. giving said sheet feeding means a step-bystep movement forj feeding said sheet parallel to the. sheet plane, two yielding presser members located at the other side of the sheet plane and atopposite sides OftllfipllIlCh in position'to resist movement of the sheet beyond its normal position when the punch is being drawn out of the sheet, substantially asdescribed.

25. In a machine for punching sheet-form material, the combination of a die located at one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the other side of the sheet plane in alinement with the die, sheet feeding means'located adjacent the die and at the same side of the sheet plane and adapted to bear against a sheet in the sheet plane, automatic means for giving said sheet feeding means a step-by-step movement for feeding said sheet parallel tothe sheet plane, two yielding. presser members located at the other side of the sheet plane and at opposite sides of the punch in position to resist move ment of the sheet beyond its normal position when the punch is being drawn out of the sheet, one of said presser members being in operative relation with the punch actuating mechanism-to move said member toward the sheet plane when the punch moves towardsaid plane, substantially as described.

26. In a machine for punching sheet-form material, a die located at one side of the sheet plane, a reciprocatory punch located at the other side of the sheet plane in alinement with the die,.sheet feeding means, antomatic means for imparting to said feeding means a. step-byestep motion, mechanism for reciprocating the punch, and pressermeans in operative relation with the punch-actuating means for driving said presser .means toward the sheet plane -when the punch moves toward the sheet plane and holding said presser means adjacent the sheet plane until the punch. actuating mechanism has traversed a chosen distance in the return part of its path, substantially as described.

27. In a machine for punching sheet-form material, a. die located at one side of the sheet plane, a 'reciprocatory punch located at the other side of the sheet plane in alinement with the die, sheet feeding 1neans,-automat-ic means for imparting to said feeding means a step-by-step motion,mechanism for reciprocating the punch, andLpresser means comprising two reciprocatory members and two springs an'dbeing in operative relation with the punch actuating meansfor driving said presser means toward the sheet plane when the punch moves toward the sheet plane and holding-said presser means adjacent the sheet xplane until the punch actuating mechanism has traversed a' chosen distance in the return part of its path, substantially as described.

28. In a machine for: punching sheet-form material, a die located'below the sheet plane, a .reciprocatory, punch located above. the sheet plane in alinement with th xdie, a dowiiward-yielding sheet-feeding ring locatcd below the sheet plane and having an upper face approximately parallel to the sheet plane and adaptedto engage asheet;

which is in the sheet plane and-to move in a path which is concentric tothe die, means for turning said feeding ring step-by-step, and presser means located above the sheet plane and adapted to bear upon the upper. face of said sheet in opposition to a part of said ring and to move in unison with the ring for the shifting of the sheet,-substantially as described.

29. In a machine for punching sheet-form material, a die located below the sheet plane, areciprocatory punch located above the sheet plane in alinement with the die, a downward-yielding sheet-feeding ring located below the sheet plane and having a crown approximately parallel to the sheet plane and adapted to engage a sheet which is in the sheet plane and to move in a path which is concentric to the die, means for turning said feeding ring step-by-step, and presser means located above the sheet plane and adapted to bear upon the upper face of said sheet in opposition to a part of said ring and to move in unison with the feedrmeans for the shifting of the sheet, substantially as described.

30. In a machine for punching.sheet-form material, a die lo ated below the sheet plane, a reoiprocatory punch located above the sheet plane in alinement with the die, downward yielding sheet feeding means located below the sheet plane and having its upper face normally above the level of the die and adapted to engage a sheet which is in the sheet plane'and to move in a path which is concentric to the die, stop means for liniiting the upward movement of the feeding means, means for moving said feeding means step-by-step in said path, and presser means located above. the sheet plane and adapted to bear upon the upper face of said sheet in opposition to the lower feed means and to. more in unison with the feed means for the shifting of the sheet, substantially as described.

31. In a machine for punching sheet-form material, a die located below the sheet'plz'ine, a rcciprocatory punch located above the sheet plane in' alinemcnt witlrthc die, a

'downward-yielding sheet feeding member located below the shcetplane and surroune'ling the die axis and having an upper face approximately parallel to the sheet plane and having its upper face normally above. the level of the die and adapted to engage a sheet which is in the sheet plane and to .move ina path which is concentric to the die, stop means for limit ng the upward movement of the feeding means, means for moving said feeding means step-by-step in said path, and presser means located above the sheet plane and adapted to bear upon the upper face of said sheet in opposition to the lower feed means and to move in unison with the feed means for the shifting of the sheet, substantially as described. 

